Estrogen or estradiol need determination by vaginal or urethral acidity determination

Abstract

In the method of determining need for human estrogen replacement therapy or estrogen or estradiol dose change, the steps include determining local acidity proximate a moist wall surface of the vagina, or urethra, as differing from desired threshold level (pH 4.5), and administering sufficient estrogen or estradiol to result in change in acidity toward such level.

I claim:  
     
       1. In the method of measuring pH of vaginal or urethral moisture for determination of need for change in estrogen or estradiol dosage, and employing apparatus which includes: 
       a) a thin, flexible sheet carrier which is manipulable, and has opposite sides,  
       b) pH indicating means on one side of the carrier, and sized for application to a zone adjacent the wall of the vagina or urethra,  
       c) the carrier opposite side located for receiving manual pressure exerted to apply said pH indicating means to said wall, the method including:  
       i) manually bringing said carrier and said pH indicating means into proximity to the wall of the vagina or urethra, and  
       ii) manipulating said carrier, manually, to bring said pH indicating means into contact with the wall of the vagina or urethra,  
       d) said opposite sides being flat and projecting away from the pH indicating means to provide for handling in spaced relation from the pH indicating means.  
     
     
       2. The method of claim  1  including subsequently observing the color of said pH indicating means in comparison with color comparison measurement means. 
     
     
       3. The method of using vaginal probe apparatus for a test purpose associated with need for change in estrogen or estradiol dosage, the steps that include 
       a) providing a longitudinally elongated support including a probe insertible into the vagina, for said test purpose, said probe provided to have a flat side,  
       b) the support having a portion projecting away from the probe,  
       c) said portion including a handle, that is manually manipulable externally of the vagina,  
       d) and including inserting said probe into the vagina to an extent to achieve said test purpose associated with a pH indicator provided at said flat side of the probe, said indicator having thickness along said probe flat side that is substantially less than the probe thickness at said flat side,  
       e) and withdrawing said probe and said indicator from the vagina for use of said indicator to complete said test purpose,  
       f) said flat side protecting away from the pH indicator to enable handling in spaced relation from the pH indicator.  
     
     
       4. The combination of claim  3  including grasping said handle rearward of said indicator during said steps d) and e). 
     
     
       5. The method of claim  3  wherein said indicator is provided to assume a characteristic color in the presence of moisture and at pH 4.5. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim  5  wherein said indicator is provided in the form of a Nitrazine® strip, and said characteristic color is sunflower yellow.